Cosmetics kit and method of use

ABSTRACT

The cosmetics kit includes a cosmetics box with a specific assortment of predetermined, prescribed cosmetics selected from a plurality of different prescribed color combinations predetermined to be skin-color coordinated with a corresponding plurality of different specific skin tones. The cosmetics box also includes a removable instructional guide overlay bearing informational labels with identifying information to identify cosmetics in the cosmetics box and instructions for use of the cosmetics. The cosmetics kit also includes accessory tools for applying the cosmetics, and a booklet of instructions keyed to the identifying information, instructions for use on the instructional guide overlay, and accessory tools.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/064,305, filed Feb. 23, 2005, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a cosmetics kit, and more generally relates to cosmetics kit and a system and method for using the cosmetics kit.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Cosmetics for cleansing, beautifying and changing the appearance of skin are commonly available commercially as separate items, or in cosmetics compacts typically containing a few related items, but a novice cosmetics user is usually faced with the tasks of extensive experimentation and sampling of cosmetics to find appropriate combinations of cosmetic items, with minimum guidance. Basic facial cosmetics typically include a foundation to be applied to the skin of the face, face power to be dusted on top of the foundation, rouge or blush for highlighting the cheeks, eye makeup, and lipstick or lip gloss. A foundation, such as vanishing cream for example, is used to provide an even, adherent base for the face powder which is to be applied over the foundation. Eye makeup typically includes a mascara to emphasize the eyelashes, eye shadow for the eyelids, an eyebrow pencil and eyeliner to accent the edges of the eyelids. A wide variety of colors, tones and hues of various cosmetics is commercially available.

Factors that influence the selection of appropriate individual cosmetic items may include a user's hair color, eye color, skin tones and facial structure, some of which may change periodically, or with aging. It would be desirable to provide a cosmetics kit that combines a selection of cosmetics with a color scheme pre-selected from a set of multiple colors schemes of cosmetics to be coordinated with such factors as skin tone, hair color, eye color, and facial features, for example. It would also be desirable to provide a system and method of using such a cosmetics kit that would provide a complete guide for the novice cosmetics user. The present invention meets these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly and in general terms, the present invention provides for a cosmetics kit, which includes a cosmetics box containing an assortment of cosmetics appropriate for a particular skin tone and/or ethnicity. A removable instructional guide overlay removably covers cosmetics in the cosmetics box, and contains informational labels including identifying information to identify the plurality of cosmetics, and instructions for use of the cosmetics. The kit also includes accessory tools for applying the cosmetics in the cosmetics box, and an instructional booklet which is keyed to and correlated with the information on the instructional guide overlay, and which contains instructions for assisting the user in selecting cosmetics in the cosmetics box, and using the accessory tools in applying the cosmetics in the cosmetics box.

The invention accordingly provides for a cosmetics kit including a cosmetics box having a base with a plurality of wells including a specific assortment of predetermined, prescribed cosmetics selected from a plurality of different prescribed color combinations predetermined to be skin-color coordinated with a corresponding plurality of different specific skin tones, respectively, or to be skin-color coordinated with a selected variety of different specific facial skin tones, hair colorings, eye colorings, facial features and ethnicities. In a presently preferred embodiment, the specific assortment of predetermined, prescribed cosmetics are selected from seven different prescribed color combinations predetermined to be skin-color coordinated with seven corresponding different specific skin tones, respectively, or with the selected variety of different specific facial skin tones, hair colorings, eye colorings, facial features and ethnicities.

An instructional guide overlay is removably disposed over the base and the plurality of wells, and bears a plurality of informational labels arranged to be aligned over corresponding ones of the plurality of wells in the base, respectively. The informational labels on the instructional guide overlay include identifying information to identify the plurality of cosmetics in the plurality of wells, and instructions for use of the cosmetics in the plurality of wells, respectively. A plurality of accessory tools are also provided for applying the plurality of cosmetics in the cosmetics box, respectively; and an instructional booklet is provided that contains instructions keyed to the identifying information and instructions for use in the plurality of informational labels on the instructional guide overlay for assisting a user in selecting and using the plurality of cosmetics, respectively. In another presently preferred aspect, the instructional booklet is further keyed to use of the accessory tools for applying the plurality of cosmetics.

In another presently preferred aspect, the plurality of cosmetics can include a face base foundation, a face powder, a concealer cream, blush cream or powder for the user's cheeks, and a selection of lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip creams. The cosmetics box typically includes a lid hingedly connected to an edge of the base, and the lid includes an interior minor. In another presently preferred aspect, the instructional guide overlay is transparent.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention by way of example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the cosmetics compact, instructional guide overlay, instructional booklet, tools and accessories of the cosmetics kit of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the cosmetics compact and instructional guide overlay of FIG. 1, showing the positioning of the guide overlay.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the instructional booklet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the instructional guide overlay of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram included in the instructional booklet keyed to identifying information and instructions for use in informational labels on the instructional guide overlay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, which are provided by way of example, the invention provides for a cosmetics kit 10, including a compact or cosmetics box 12 having a base 14 with a plurality of wells 16 for containing a corresponding plurality of cosmetics, respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The plurality of cosmetics preferably includes an assortment of cosmetics for the face, such as a face base foundation 20, and a face powder 22, as well as a concealer cream 24, for covering skin blemishes. Also provided in the assortment of cosmetics is an assortment of eye shadows 26 a, b, c, d, for providing appropriate accent, shadow and contour and highlight of the eyes. A blush cream or powder 28 a, b is also provided for the cheeks of the face. A selection of lipsticks, lip glosses, or lip creams 30 a, b, c is also provided. The assortment of cosmetics is preferably selected to have a color scheme coordinated for a particular skin tone selected from a plurality of skin tones. In a presently preferred aspect, a specific assortment of predetermined, prescribed cosmetics selected from a plurality of different color schemes or combinations subjectively predetermined to be skin-color coordinated and/or color coordinated with hair colorings, eye colorings, facial features and/or ethnicities, and specifically coordinated with seven different specific ranges of skin tones and/or hair colorings, eye colorings, facial features and/or ethnicities, respectively. The seven different color schemes, color combinations or specific ranges of skin tones and/or hair colorings, eye colorings, facial features and/or ethnicities can be grouped, for example, as 1) the darkest skin tones; 2) dark skin tones; 3) dark brown skin tones; 4) mixed golden brown skin tones; 5) light brown skin tones; 6) olive to golden skin tones; and 7) light skin tones.

Referring to FIG. 4, an instructional guide overlay 32 is removably disposed over the base and the wells in the base, with the instructional guide overlay bearing a plurality of informational labels 34 disposed over corresponding wells in the base, respectively, and includes identifying information 34A to identify the cosmetics in the wells, and instructions 34B for use of the cosmetics in the wells, respectively. In a presently preferred embodiment, the instructional guide overlay is a transparent film with informational labels printed on the transparent film.

A lid 36 is preferably hingedly connected to an edge 37 of the base, and the lid preferably includes an interior minor 38. An instructional booklet 40 is also provided, containing instructions keyed to the informational labels on the instructional guide overlay and the cosmetics in the cosmetics box for assisting a user in selecting and using a plurality of cosmetics. One or more accessory tools for applying the cosmetics may also be provided in the cosmetics kit, such as one or more brushes 42, and one or more sponges 44, such as for applying the face powder.

Referring to FIG. 5, the instructional booklet is preferably keyed to the cosmetics in the cosmetics kit, the information on the instructional guide overlay, and the accessory tools for applying the cosmetics in the cosmetics box by a diagram 50 showing an outline of a face. The diagram includes the same identifying information as on the instructional guide overlay for identifying the cosmetics in the cosmetics box, such as face powder, face base, eyes, cheeks, concealer, and lips, and illustrates where on the user's face the cosmetics are to be applied. In addition, the diagram is further keyed to the instructional guide overlay by including the same instructions for use as on the instructional guide overlay, such as “finish” for the face powder cosmetics, “accent,” “define” or “shadow,” “contour,” and “highlight” for the eyes cosmetics; “blush” and “contour” for the cheeks cosmetics; “eliminate” for the concealer cosmetics; and “drama,” “color” and “almost bare” for the lips cosmetics. The instructional booklet similarly also preferably identifies the accessory tools to be used for applying the appropriate cosmetics with keying information and use instructions related to the information on the instructional guide overlay, such as “lips, color;” “define, eyes and brows;” “blush, cheeks;” “eliminate, concealer;” “finish, face powder;” “mascara spooler, lashes;” “contour, cheeks;” “eyes, blend, accent, contour, highlight;” and “face base, foundation.”

It will be apparent from the foregoing that while particular forms of the invention has been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

1. A cosmetics kit, comprising: a cosmetics box including a base having a plurality of wells for containing a corresponding plurality of cosmetics, respectively, wherein said plurality of cosmetics includes a specific assortment of predetermined, prescribed cosmetics selected from a plurality of different prescribed color combinations predetermined to be skin-color coordinated with a corresponding plurality of different specific skin tones, respectively; an instructional guide overlay removably disposed over said base and said plurality of wells, the instructional guide overlay bearing a plurality of informational labels arranged to be aligned over corresponding ones of said plurality of wells in the base, respectively, said plurality of informational labels including identifying information to identify the plurality of cosmetics in the plurality of wells, and instructions for use of said cosmetics in said plurality of wells, respectively; a plurality of accessory tools for applying said plurality of cosmetics, respectively; and an instructional booklet containing instructions keyed to the informational labels on the instructional guide overlay for assisting a user in selecting and using said plurality of cosmetics, respectively.
 2. The cosmetics kit of claim 1, wherein said specific assortment of predetermined, prescribed cosmetics is selected from seven different prescribed color combinations predetermined to be skin-color coordinated with seven corresponding different specific skin tones, respectively.
 3. The cosmetics kit of claim 1, wherein said plurality of cosmetics comprises a face base foundation, a face powder, a concealer cream, blush cream or powder for the user's cheeks, and a selection of lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip creams.
 4. The cosmetics kit of claim 1, wherein said cosmetics box further comprises a lid hingedly connected to an edge of the base.
 5. The cosmetics kit of claim 3, wherein said lid includes an interior minor.
 6. The cosmetics kit of claim 1, wherein said instructional guide overlay is transparent.
 7. The cosmetics kit of claim 1, wherein said instructional booklet is further keyed to the use of said accessory tools for applying said plurality of cosmetics.
 8. A cosmetics kit, comprising: a cosmetics box including a base having a plurality of wells for containing a corresponding plurality of cosmetics, respectively, wherein said plurality of cosmetics includes a specific assortment of predetermined, prescribed cosmetics selected from a plurality of different prescribed color combinations predetermined to be skin-color coordinated with a selected variety of different specific facial skin tones, hair colorings, eye colorings, facial features and ethnicities; an instructional guide overlay removably disposed over said base and said plurality of wells, the instructional guide overlay bearing a plurality of informational labels arranged to be aligned over corresponding ones of said plurality of wells in the base, respectively, said plurality of informational labels including identifying information to identify the plurality of cosmetics in the plurality of wells, and instructions for use of said cosmetics in said plurality of wells, respectively; a plurality of accessory tools for applying said plurality of cosmetics, respectively; and an instructional booklet containing instructions keyed to the identifying information and instructions for use in said plurality of informational labels on the instructional guide overlay for assisting a user in selecting and using said plurality of cosmetics, respectively, and wherein said instructional booklet instructional booklet is wherein said instructional booklet is further keyed to the use of said accessory tools for applying said plurality of cosmetics.
 9. The cosmetics kit of claim 8, wherein said specific assortment of predetermined, prescribed cosmetics is selected from seven different prescribed color combinations.
 10. The cosmetics kit of claim 8, wherein said plurality of cosmetics comprises a face base foundation, a face powder, a concealer cream, blush cream or powder for the user's cheeks, and a selection of lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip creams.
 11. The cosmetics kit of claim 8, wherein said cosmetics box further comprises a lid hingedly connected to an edge of the base.
 12. The cosmetics kit of claim 11, wherein said lid includes an interior mirror.
 13. The cosmetics kit of claim 8, wherein said instructional guide overlay is transparent. 